Photo Gallery
Photos by Michael O’Brien
We begin this tour of New England at Scarborough Marsh where we may get side-by-side comparisons of the similar Saltmarsh (here) and Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrows.
We’ll also visit the blueberry barrens near Kennebunk, Maine, a unique grassland habitat…
…where Upland Sandpipers nest…
…and where the long list of sparrows may include Clay-colored, a prairie species that is rare but increasingly regular in New England.
In the north woods of New Hampshire, we’ll visit a variety of habitats from mixed hardwoods…
…to boreal bogs…
…to the stunted spruce just below treeline (the so-called “krummholtz” vegetation) where the very local Bicknell’s Thrush nests…
…along with the more abundant Blackpoll Warbler.
As we bird our way along forest trails…
…we’ll look and listen carefully for specialties of the region such as Black-backed Woodpecker…
…Spruce Grouse…
…and a long list of warblers such as this Blackburnian.
Along the “Down-east” coast of Maine, we’ll visit quaint fishing villages…
…and view a spectacularly rugged coastline…
…frequented by Common Eiders…
If possible, we may even enjoy a lobster feast on a rocky beach.
We’ll take a half-day boat trip to visit Machias Seal Island…
…a thriving seabird colony where we’ll see thousands of Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills, and Arctic Terns up close.
The experience of sitting within a photo blind among thousands of birds is mesmerizing.
Along with Arctic Terns…
…Atlantic Puffins…
…and Razorbills…
…we’ll see smaller numbers of Common Murres.
As we explore New England, we’ll certainly see other interesting creatures such as this Moose in a roadside wallow…
…or interesting plants such as this Sundew…
…or this Pink Lady’s Slipper…
…or interesting butterflies such as these puddling Canadian Tiger Swallowtails…
…or this stunning White Admiral.